Founder

Chris Whittaker

Chris quit his corporate job on a Friday, got married Saturday, and founded Oso on Monday. A former management consultant, Chris is excited to combine his passion for climbing with entrepreneurship as he leads Oso.

You’ll find him in the mezzanine on his laptop, in a Denali fitness class, or out on the floor climbing – he basically lives in the gym.

Professional Climber

Paul Robinson

Paul climbs V15 and flashes V13. He’s got his own Wikipedia bio. Paul is the mastermind behind our wall designs and climbing training spaces. We named a wall after him.

Professional Climber

Justin Salas

Justin is the Blind Ascensionist. As a Paraclimbing World Champion, Justin is one of the brilliant minds behind our walls and climber training spaces. You might have seen him on ESPN.

General Manager

Kyle Smith

Kyle is a staple of the Dallas climbing community and has been a part of the gym scene for almost a decade. When he’s not getting a new tattoo or watching the Dallas Stars, you’ll find him at the helm of the gym.

Director of user experience

Logan Monaco

Logan joined the Oso team when he returned to Texas from the east coast to be our Director of User Experience. With a background in user experience and service design, he provides an innovative spark to the company and the industry. A long time climber, he is driven by forming relationships in the community and helping others progress and grow. Look for him around the gym and give him a fist bump.

Chief Barketing Officer

Bear

The original Oso and primary motivation for our founder to spend more time in Dallas. Super friendly, he’ll see you and expect attention. Driven by his love for pets and salmon. 12/10 is a good boy.

Routesetter

Manny Escobar

Manuel was born in Uruguay and moved to the states in 2002. His parents put him in Boy Scouts when he was 10, and his troop would take a couple of outdoor climbing trips a year.

The first time they went he immediately fell in love! In his junior year of high school he discovered indoor climbing, and he started working and climbing at the gym as soon as he could. Eventually, the opportunity to route set arose and he jumped on it.

He loves creating movement for people to experience, and if you see him in the gym he’d love to talk to you about your project!

Event Coordinator

Kelly Mason

Kelly is Oso’s event coordinator and director of social media. She began climbing four years ago on a whim during a Colorado camping trip with friends, and she has been in love with the sport and community ever since. She enjoys teaching yoga, climbing, painting, exploring and traveling. She loves to create unique and special experiences, and loves meeting new people and making new friends – say hello next time you see her in the gym!

Assistant General Manager

Alec DeHaven

Alec has been climbing religiously for the last 9 years. He grew up in Carrollton, Texas where he played soccer for 15 years. After he quit, he had a bit of an identity crisis as an athlete. He found climbing shortly after, and has been pursuing hard climbs and good times ever since. In his free time, Alec loves working out, exploring new restaurants, and going to Mavericks games.

Assistant General Manager

Rhia Davis

Rhia Davis is a Dallas native and climber of 7 years. She graduated from UNT with a degree in metalsmithing, and she has a studio in her house where she makes furniture and jewelry. When she’s not on the wall, she’s usually cooking, making art, or taking care of her dogs.

Routesetter

Lauren Reynolds

Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Lauren made the jump to Texas to see if she could soak up a little more sun. If Lauren didn’t drop everything in 2015 to pursue her wild passion for routesetting, she would probably be racing downhill mountain bikes somewhere colder.

She is always ready to grab a cup of coffee and share the many wonders of climbing movement through routesetting and discuss how it can foster a more diverse and inclusive environment for all.

You can usually find her around the gym or on the back porch with her dog Carabiner.